New part designs made from engineering plastics are often able to bypass or reduce the number of secondary processing steps. When the manufacture of your part does require secondary operations such as welding and gluing, we provide recommendations for the specific grade under consideration to ensure a safe and reliable end product.
Welding is an effective method of permanently joining together plastic components. It works on the principle of a phase change from solid to liquid (either through melting or in solution), followed by a solidification phase at the interfaces to be joined. Depending on your product’s needs, we provide recommendations on different welding techniques, with the aim to ensure the strongest possible weld line. While there are a variety of welding techniques, they can be distinguished into two main types: friction welding and welding via an external heat source.
Gluing is an effective method of assembling plastic parts with permanent connections. It provides for joints that have a clean aesthetic with low weight and sufficiently strong connections. Gluing is especially beneficial with plastics that are sensitive to heat, where welding techniques would case the plastic material to deform. Whether you use solvent bonding, adhesive bonding, or double-sided tape, we provide recommendations on the best gluing method based on the part design and material selected.
Ask us how we can support you through secondary operations, like gluing and welding, in the production of your part.